The City of Albuquerque is cracking down on graffiti taggers, and making them foot the bill for cleaning up the property they violate.This week, the city filed 14 lawsuits, naming 35 graffiti taggers -- 17 of whom are minors.The city spends about $1 million annually on graffiti cleanup, but wants the taggers to start helping foot the bill."Graffiti is a blight in this community. It brings down property value, and homeowners are tired of it," said Deputy City Attorney Pete Dinelli.Dinelli said underage taggers' parents also are included in the lawsuits he files."We are seeking restitution costs, but we're also asking for punitive damages," he said.Police on Thursday served papers to the parents of Danny Shaffer, allegedly one of the worst graffiti taggers in the city. Shaffer is accused of tagging 250 sites around Albuquerque, and the city is suing him and his family for $62,816.Mayor Martin Chavez applauded the lawsuit."His parents are going to pay the price in addition to (Shaffer). And we will follow him every single day of his life until he satisfies his judgment," Chavez said.The city said that after it started suing the taggers, it hasn't had any repeat offenders.If you see graffiti in your Albuquerque neighborhood, call Albuquerque's graffiti removal hot line at (505) 768-4725.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —

The City of Albuquerque is cracking down on graffiti taggers, and making them foot the bill for cleaning up the property they violate.

The city spends about $1 million annually on graffiti cleanup, but wants the taggers to start helping foot the bill.

"Graffiti is a blight in this community. It brings down property value, and homeowners are tired of it," said Deputy City Attorney Pete Dinelli.

Dinelli said underage taggers' parents also are included in the lawsuits he files.

"We are seeking restitution costs, but we're also asking for punitive damages," he said.

Police on Thursday served papers to the parents of Danny Shaffer, allegedly one of the worst graffiti taggers in the city. Shaffer is accused of tagging 250 sites around Albuquerque, and the city is suing him and his family for $62,816.

Mayor Martin Chavez applauded the lawsuit.

"His parents are going to pay the price in addition to (Shaffer). And we will follow him every single day of his life until he satisfies his judgment," Chavez said.

The city said that after it started suing the taggers, it hasn't had any repeat offenders.

If you see graffiti in your Albuquerque neighborhood, call Albuquerque's graffiti removal hot line at (505) 768-4725.